ATLANTA, March 2 (UPI) -- U.S. doctors were told Tuesday to reduce routine doses of childhood pneumonia vaccine Prevnar to two until the manufacturer can restore its supply.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended suspending routine use of two additional doses of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Production by the manufacturer, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, has been much lower than expected and shipments have been delayed, resulting in shortages that may continue beyond this summer, CDC officials said.
A Wyeth spokesman told United Press International the vaccine's filling line was shut down following changes in the manufacturing process, and acknowledged supply could be limited until full capacity returns -- probably by mid-year.
Dr. Steve Cochi, acting director of the CDC's National Immunization Program, said all children should receive some protection with at least two doses of the vaccine, then receive the two missed doses on their first visit to a healthcare provider after supplies are replenished.
Children with sickle cell anemia or immune system disorders, meanwhile, should continue to receive the full four-dose series, CDC officials said.
